Microsoft Focused on A.I. Investments
2017年10月18日 - 5:55AM
Dow Jones News
By Rolfe Winkler
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. -- Microsoft Corp.'s investments will
remain focused on artificial intelligence technology said Peggy
Johnson, the software giant's Executive Vice President in charge of
Business Development.
"We have a big focus on AI," Ms. Johnson said Tuesday at The
Wall Street Journal's WSJ D.Live technology conference, answering a
question about what Microsoft sees as its biggest opportunities.
She said the company had made about 18 acquisitions in the AI space
over the past few years and has about 8,000 staff focused on that
area after a reorganization announced last year.
Ms. Johnson said other areas drawing Microsoft's attention
include quantum computing, gaming, and software as a service. "We
look at everything," she said. "I look at growth for the
company."
Microsoft invested in two large private technology companies
this year, Indian e-commerce player Flipkart Ltd. and
InsideSales.com Inc., according to Crunchbase. Its last big tech
acquisitions included the $26 billion deal for professional
networking site LinkedIn in 2016 and the $2.5 billion purchase of
Minecraft videogame maker Mojang AB.
The level of technology mergers and acquisitions has been
depressed in 2017 relative to recent years. "For bankers it's a
tough environment," said Jennifer Nason, Global Chairman of
Investment Banking for J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., speaking on the
same panel. Ms. Nason cited high stock market valuations and
uncertainty over tax policy as reasons for depressed tech M&A
volumes.
The value of acquisitions announced for U.S.-based tech
companies so far this year has amounted to $115 billion, according
to research firm Dealogic. That is down from $280 billion by this
point last year and $331 billion to this point in 2015, says
Dealogic.
For its part, Microsoft will consider more partnerships in
addition to investments and acquisitions said Ms. Johnson, pointing
to a recent integration between Microsoft's Cortana smart assistant
and Amazon.com Inc.'s Alexa. She said Microsoft would be open to
similar partnerships with Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Apple Inc. so
long as there is "shared value."
Write to Rolfe Winkler at rolfe.winkler@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 17, 2017 16:40 ET (20:40 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2017 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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